Each year,
the French Air Force (AdlA) organises a 'Enseignements Militaire Superieure'
exhibition at two locations: BA 123 Orleans and BA 120 Cazaux. The aim
is of this exhibition to demonstrate the capabilities of the French Air
Force, for CFAP (Transport Command) at Orleans and for CFAC (Fighter Command)
at Cazaux.

In 2001 it
was held for the 11th time, this occasion on 19/20 September. Some 400
invitees from all the world's Air Forces were invited for this two day
event.

At BA 123
Orleans-Bricy the main concept of the French Air Force Transport Command
(CFAP) was displayed in the static show. Due to heavy rain the flying
demonstrations were unfortunately cancelled. The ground demonstrations
consisted of: Air to air refuelling, ground refuelling of a fighter with
a C-160, delivery of cargo by parachute, delivery of cargo by unloading
a transport aircraft, MEDEVAC, AWACS and protection of an airbase.

On
show

The second
day of the exhibition at Cazaux had the fortune of good weather. No clouds,
only sun and some 24 degrees Celsius. The main concept of the French Air
Force Fighter Command (CFAC) was shown in the static
show and demonstrated in the afternoon at the range. The ground demonstrations
consisted of: Pre and post-strike reconnaissance and ELINT, SAM suppression,
fighter protection, close air support and nuclear strike.

Besides the
French Air Force, the Air Forces from Spain, Belgium, Italy and the UK
were present at Cazaux, whereas the Italian, Belgium and Spanish aircraft
participated in the afternoon demonstration. The participants for the
afternoon's bombing mission were armed with conventional (free-falling)
bombs, rocketpods and cannon ammunition. Over forty aircraft were armed
in a short time.

After
lunch all aircraft taxied with full armament to the runway and took off.
They formed their formations and started the 30 minute exhibition, consisting
of: A peculiar formation of a French KC-135F (with a basket!) and three
Belgium F-16s, a pre-strike ELINT flight of a C-160
Gabriel, rocket attacks by Jaguars and Mirages, strafing attacks by
F-16s and Mirages, bombing attacks by Mirages, F-16s and Tornados and
post-strike reconnaissance by Mirages. These attacks demonstrated the
concepts of SAM suppression, fighter protection and close air support.
At a distance of some 500 meters, the sights, sounds and vibrations of
exploding bombs, rockets and strafing were very impressive. Following
the demonstrations all aircraft returned safely to the base. Fortunately,
the nuclear strike was not demonstrated...

Besides
the 400 military invitees, some forty or so media invitees participated
on the two day trip, organised by the French Air Force Public Affairs
Department (SIRPA.AIR), flying its 'own' CN235. All invitees and media
were driven from Paris to BA Orleans by bus, and after the CFAP demonstration
and a good dinner everybody was flown to Cazaux in C160s, C-130s
and CN235s, arriving at the hotel at Cazaux after midnight. The next morning
saw CFAC ground exhibition, a good lunch at noon and the CFAC live demonstration
at the range, followed by a flight to Villacoublay from where everybody
was transported back to Paris.

More photos
of EMS 2001 can be seen at the Sentry
Aviation News website. Our thanks go to SIRPA.AIR and the organisers
at BA Orleans and BA Cazaux.